WHAT TO DO

icon/bouldering_greenicon/bouldering_blueBoulderingBouldering
icon/swimming_greenicon/swimming_blueSwimmingSwimming
icon/fishing_greenicon/fishing_blueRecreational fishingRecreational fishing
icon/whalewatching_blueWhale watchingWhale watching
icon/birdwatching_greenicon/birdwatching_blueBirdwatchingBirdwatching
icon/hiking_greenHikingHiking
icon/cycling_greenicon/cycling_blueMountain biking and cyclingMountain biking and cycling
icon/gameviewing_greenicon/gameviewing_blueWildlife ViewingWildlife Viewing
Social Media Image cropped
18 Dec 2024
Forge’s top five family-friendly hikes to do this festive season

It’s the festive season, baby! And for many families across South Africa, that means packing the boogie boards and hiking boots and heading out of town. CapeNature reserves are naturally a first choice for family vacations over the festive season, and we want to help you get the most out of your next trip.

12 Days of Christmas Newsletter2
9 Dec 2024
Win Big This Christmas with CapeNature

CapeNature is in the Christmas spirit and we are giving back to our loyal nature lovers! We, together with our valued sponsors are kickstarting the celebrations with our 12 Days of Christmas daily prize giveaways.
Going LIVE on the 13th of December on our Facebook and Instagram accounts!

PHOTO 2024 11 27 09 20 21
9 Dec 2024
Western Cape Standing Committee visits Stony Point

Last month, the Western Cape Parliament Standing Committee on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning visited the Stony Point African Penguin colony. Presentations were given by CapeNature colleagues on the history of the site, penguin population trends, challenges and colony management, and socio-economic benefits of Stony Point and the associated On the Edge Restaurant respectively.

Baboon website icon news
6 Dec 2024
Withdrawal of Litigation welcomed by Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team

The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, welcomes the decision by Ryno Engelbrecht, Baboon Matters, Beauty Without Cruelty and Jo-Ann Bosman to withdraw their litigation against the three authorities constituting the CPBMJTT.

CN TTOL Waterfall LR 2704
2 Dec 2024
Top Activities for Summertime Fun

Summertime is here, welcome December, are you ready for a #CapeNatureSummer? You bring the vibe, and we’ll provide the ultimate summer experience at our nature reserves. Cool down or soak up the sunshine bliss in nature – the perfect opportunity to make endless, magical memories. Read more to start planning your summer activities at one of CapeNature’s gems.

Conservation in action

Mirriam Plaatjies
Celebrating gender equality in conservation

There is a number of women working at CapeNature in so-called non-conventional roles. The entity is known for creating an enabling environment where women employees can thrive and progress. 

IFSMFN
Groenvlei Carp Project

The Invasive Fish Species Management Non Profit Company (IFSM) consists of a group of volunteers that approached CapeNature in 2018 to remove invasive carp from Groenvlei lake by means of fishing bows.

5.1.3.2. Landscape South fauna image_Great White Shark Hennie Otto
Monitoring the Great White Shark

The waters around Dyer Island are an important seasonal feeding ground for great white sharks. Researchers working through Dyer Island Conservation Trust have demonstrated a decrease in white shark sightings around the island since 2017. 

Fig 2 The Brenton Blue butterfly Orachrysops niobe a Male Photo credit A Coetzer
Possibly extinct Brenton blue butterfly

Of the two localities at which it is known to have occurred, the Brenton blue butterfly is now extinct at one (Nature’s Valley) and possibly extinct at the other (the Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve near Knysna).


Berg River Redfin
Conservation of Barrydale redfin

The tiny Critically Endangered Barrydale redfin, for example, is limited to just 40 km2 in the Tradouw catchment where it is threatened by water abstraction, pollution and alien fish.

Amphibians frog animal
Rough moss frog

The rough moss frog occurs at a single locality on the southern slopes of the Klein Swartberg Mountain. The main threats to this species are invasive alien plants and too-frequent fires.

Featured accommodation

Cederberg Algeria new cottages 1

Algeria - Cottages

Cederberg Wilderness Area
Blacktail Chalet

Blacktail Cottage

Goukamma Nature Reserve
CN ROCH Moorhen LR 9918

Coot, Moorhen, Egret and Shoveler

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Reviews

Exceptionally clean with friendly staff and we had a lovely experience. Thank you so much.
Marina Knight 13 Jun 2024
Everything was superb, the Pamiet Honeymoon suite was a highlight. Good value for money and on same level as private luxury accommodation at double the price per night.
Chris Meiring 13 Jun 2024
We had a wonderful time at Tierkloof lodge at Gamkaberg. Staff was a wonderful host and made us feel so welcome. Everything at the camp was superb. The tents, the cleanliness of the kitchen/boma/bathrooms. We had a wonderful time with friends. Staff is really going the extra mile!
Joalitha van Zyl 13 Jun 2024

Featured reserves

Goukamma Nature Reserve copyright Cape Nature 7 2
Goukamma Nature Reserve

We recommend that you use a vehicle with a high ground clearance when traversing on reserve.

Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve was proclaimed a marine protected area in 1990 and it is heralded as one of the country’s conservation success stories. The reserve stretches along 16.5km of the coastline between Buffalo Bay and Platbank, and 2 500 hectares inland.

Fact

Buffalo Valley’s three self-catering timber lodges are fully equipped and sleep between four to six people. 

Fact

Buffalo Valley is a large conservation area  two kilometres from the warm Indian Ocean. 

Marloth Watervalkloof
Marloth Nature Reserve

Marloth Nature Reserve is hidden away in the imposing Swellendam Mountains, between Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The peaceful reserve, which is 14 123 hectares in size, is managed together with 16 532 hectares of privately owned land, and is a World Heritage Site.

Explore beautiful fynbos with patches of forest
Over 25 species of erica flowers found here

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